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Jack's Macedon Campaign Playthrough

Hello everyone, and welcome to my campaign play through as Macedon. I will be posting updates here until Rome II is released. Please discuss the campaign in this thread

Macedon is rated as a hard faction to play. The campaign is on the normal difficulty setting. Click on the images for larger resolution where avaiable.

The game begins in 272 BC, so let’s take a look at what I have.

- Here is Pella, my capital, and the army of my faction leader Antigonos Gonatas.
- The other region Macedon starts with is Pulpudeva, along with the second army under Kosmas. I also have a fleet which is led by Peucestas.
- A decent starting position, but I need to take a look at the diplomatic situation.

- Quite a few nations nearby, from the Thracian Odryssian Kingdom to the Greek states of Athens and Sparta.

- Athens is my client state and Sparta are my defensive allies. I’m at war with Tylis which looks to be a good first target for expansion.
- Time for some construction. Pella is expanded with the City Centre line of buildings. Pulpudeva gets a barracks so I can recruit decent units there and at Pella. I want to turn them into military centres, I will focus conquered regions on agriculture, industry and culture buildings.

- I also start researching my first tech, the starting one on the military line. I will go up the military line for a couple of techs until the second tier buildings are unlocked and will then switch to the civil line.
- Each faction comes with traits that affect how the campaign plays, let’s take a look at Macedon’s.
- Good bonuses, but the diplomatic penalty with other Hellenic factions could have a big effect as the campaign goes on.
- Now to get on with the business of strengthening my armies. Levy Pikemen and Javelinmen are added to the army of Antigonos. Kosmas gets some Slingers and a unit of Milita Hoplites. He will march on Antheia and I will recruit mercenaries to strengthen his force along the way.

Time to end turn.

271 BC
- Hmmm, I’m already committed to one war with Tylis, but I do want Larissa so I agree to join in the war with Epirus.
- I send a spy south, and they spot some Epirot armies gathering.

- My first tech is finished, and I move onto the next military one as it will give me the next level barracks needed for Pikemen and other units.

270 BC
- Bolstered by some Thracian mercenaries, Kosmas lays siege to Antheia. I decide to wait before assaulting, a big mistake.
- Why was this a mistake? Because I forgot that armies in besieged port settlements do not suffer from attrition unless the port is blockaded, but the besieging army will.

269 BC
- Antigonos moves south to beseige Larissa, Athenian armies providing support.
- I upgrade the City Centre chain in Pella to an Amphitheatron, a building that will give a very big boost to public order when it is finished.
- An Epirus spy is spotted by my own, and she manages to wound them.
- She levels up and I decide to improve her critical chance.
- Realising my earlier mistake with the siege of Antheia, I assault and my strong infantry give me a swift victory against the levy troops of the enemy.
- I choose to occupy the settlement. As buildings of another culture give unhappiness, I begin the process of converting the farm to my own. The others will have to wait until I have more money.

- Kosmas has levelled up so I give him the Commander skill.

- Having captured Antheia, I notice an army of Tylis in a transport fleet off the coast. I wonder what they will do next.

- Blast. Odrysia has declared war, giving me no time to consolidate my hold on Tylis.

268 BC
- At the start of my next turn I am greeted with this message, looks like something has happened to one of my Generals.
- Once I’ve dealt with this another message. I don’t know who it is, but someone almost took out Antigonos. If I found out who it was they will pay.

- Floods have hit Pulpudeva, causing damage to buidlings.

- Odrysia has besieged Antheia with the Tylis army on the transport fleet blockading the port. This is not good. I dispatch my fleet to try and help out but it may not be strong enough.

- With the second military tech done I move on to the first civil one.

- During the next end turn sequence, Egypt declares war. Taking at look at my relations with them, they do not like me at all, alomst -180 in total. No wonder they've delcared war.

- On the last turn of the siege of Larissa, Epirus sally out. The Athenian armies have moved away but have been replaced with a much stronger Spartan one. This battle should not be much of a challenge. As it is an easy fight I decide to autoresolve it.
- A good victory and I decide to enslave the captives taken.

267 BC

- Larissa is mine…
- …and with it Mount Olympus!

That is all for this part of the campaign diary. See you all next time.

Welcome to the second update of my Macedon campaign play through. The next few will be smaller than the first one.

With Larissa conquered my attention swaps back to Antheia.
- My small fleet manages to push the fleet of Tylis away and I sally out with my army.

- My bloodiest battle so far. My main line goes toe to toe with the Thracian Nobles and Warriors and suffer terrible casualties. It turns into a meat grinder and my Generals unit is wiped out, but I emerge victorious at the end.
- Unfortunately my general Kosmas died in the battle and his unit wiped out. A noble end to his life.
- With the siege relieved I convert the rest of the buildings in Antheia to my culture. Public order in the province should soon be under control.
- This turn also marks the completion of my first Civil tech, Land Reclamation that gives me a bonus to agriculture.
- Over on the Western side of Greece, Epirus and Athens have fought several battles with each other. Both sides have lost armies with Athens being pushed back. I wipe out the small remaining Epirot ones.
- At Antheia skirmishes with the remaining forces of Tylis lead to the army levelling up.
- I choose to improve the damage of my spear units.
- I get word that a member of the other families within the faction has been promoted, shifting the balance of power internally towards them. I’ll have to keep an eye on that to make sure they do not grow too strong.

266 BC
- Rome had declared war on Epirus during the end turn sequence. I must make sure they do not take Apollonia before I do.

264 BC- With Epirus weakened I march on Apollonia, destroying a small army before laying siege to the settlement.
- My fleet near Antheia engages one of Tylis and destroys it.
- I also complete the research of Scholarship this turn, which enables the recruitment of Dignitary agents and the Library building.

263 BC
- After waiting a turn I assault Apollonia and Epirus is destroyed. It was a hard fought battle, but my superior army overwhelmed the garrison.
- A faction seems to be very keen on trying to assassinate my generals. Several are wounded over the next few years and it only stops when I move my spy into the army at Apollonia.

- Capturing Apollonia gave me my first full province. I set Macedonia to the Tax Harvesting edict giving me a nice boost to my income.

- Sparta come to me with an offer of an alliance which I accept. My southern border is looking very secure.

262 BC
-I’ve not heard much from Egypt since their declaration of war but it looks like they’ve got a few troubles closer to home. Checking in diplomacy they are still very unfriendly towards me.
- Tax Labour is researched which boosts growth in all provinces and reduces the cost of main chain buildings in settlements (the core building in each one).

261 BC
- To the North plague strikes an army of one of the Scythian factions, the Catiaroi. Good job I have no plans to expand up there anytime soon.
- The other families secure more promotions for some of their members and I respond in kind which helps maintain the balance of power.

260 BC
- More buildings are upgraded, the province of Thracia now has several temples giving different bonuses.
- My spy Alexandra levels up and I improve her Collaboration skill which imporves her manipulation chance.

259 BC
- This was a busy turn for diplomacy. I secure non-aggression pacts with Rome and Pontus and a trade agreement with Athens.
- I also complete the research of Marine Training, which gives me an extra recruitment slot in ports, reduce fleet upkeep by a small amount and enables the 3rd tier docks.

257 BC
- I march on Odessos and take it with a quick assault. I own all but one region of the Thracia province, the last is owned by the Triballi. They are no threat for now but I think they are a good future target for conquest.
- There is still another Odrysian army out there somewhere that I will have to deal with. This turn also sees a trade agreement signed with the Ardiaei, one of the Illyrian factions.

That is all for this update on my play through. I hope have enjoyed it.

256 BC
I am issued a mission that I complete the next turn when my treasure is large enough. The dignitary is then dispatched on a tour of nearby factions to see what they are up to.

I agree a defensive alliance with the Ardiaei and a trade agreement with Syracuse.
255BC
The remaining Odrysian army appears and lays siege to Pulpudeva. I move my army from Odessos to respond.

Water Sluicing is researched this turn that further improves growth in all regions and boosts my income from industrial buildings. Pulpudeva is being turned into my industrial centre, with a Brick Dryer in the settlement.

254 BC
I catch the Odrysian army at Pulpudeva and it retreats towards the mountains where I attack it. Seeing their forces I understand why they had tried to attack away from Odessos, their force is not strong enough to face my army and it is destroyed on the field of battle.

253 BC
This turn sees a milestone happen in my campaign.
In Apollonia I have my first 20 unit army. Now I need someone to use it on.

252 BC
The last remaining Odryisan forces are in fleets that I destroy this turn. I am now at peace for the first time since the campaign started.

A Non-Aggression Pact is signed with Rhodos and I complete the research of Advanced Construction Techniques which allows me to build Aqueducts and a third tier Odeon.

251 BC
Syracuse also agrees a non-aggression pact with me, I think they and Rome could become good allies in time.

A few turns ago I was presented with an intrigue where I chose to invest in a mine…
…and a few turns I get the reward for that decision.

That is it for today’s updates, next one will be on Tuesday as it is a Bank Holiday weekend here in the UK.

250 BC
With my southern borders secure thanks to Athens and Sparta my attention turns towards the Triballi who own Navissos, the last region of Thracia that I don’t own. Looking in diplomacy I notice they are at war with the Scordisci who I promptly sign a Non-Aggression pact with. I then declare war with the Triballi and march my army from Pulpudeva into the region.

In other diplomatic news I sign a trade agreement with Rome.

Back to internal matters I have family issues to deal with.
This person must be disowned. the Infamy penalty affects all of my family members.

Tactical Drills is researched which boosts the melee stats of my units.

249 BC
With the main Triballi army off fighting the Scordisci, Navissos is open to attack.
I take the region after an easy fight and begin to convert the buildings. All of Thracia is mine.

Rome asks me to join in their war against the Etruscan League. The Etruscans only have a fleet left and I do not have anything to defeat them with, but joining the war will boost my relations with Rome so I agree.

248 BC
He got what was coming to him. The Infamy is removed from my family.

Rome offers a defensive alliance in return for a small fee. I agree, much better to have them as friends rather than enemies. Syracuse has declared war on Carthage as well, things are getting very interesting in the central Mediterranean.

I hear news from distant lands that the Arverni have become part of the Gallic confederation.

The last Triballi army has headed east and tries to take Antheia.
This battle was a tough one and rested on my Militia Hoplites pinning down the Triballi general and killing him before his unit could reach my slingers and the mob who were also defending the settlement.

247 BC
At the start of this turn I am met by a very interesting mission.
A very nice incentive for me to try and eradicate the last Etruscan fleet. I never manage to complete this mission, but it is a nice example of the dynamic missions that appear in the campaign.

Rome also asks me to join in its war against Libya, one of Carthage’s client states. With Syracuse at war with them as well I sense an opportunity to expand to the west. Time to side with Rome again.

Trade agreements are agreed with Bithynia and Rhodos, and Syracuse take Lilybaeum giving them control over Sicily.

246 BC
When converting Navissos to my culture I had enough money to convert the main settlement building but not the other chain so I demolished it. With my focus elsewhere I had forgotten to build anything in the empty slot so now slums have filled it.
They add to the growth rate but I do not want that food or public order penalty so I demolish them.

I agree Military Access with Rome, and move my 20 stack army into Southern Italy where I intend to march it towards Sicily and then on to North Africa.

A trade agreement is reached with the Catiaroi and Gymnasia is researched. This gives a speed increase to my units and allows for more specialised military buildings to be constructed that focus on giving bonuses to units.

245 BC
Libya asks for peace as it is in a lot of wars and offers a nice payment. I accept the money and take a hit in my relations to Rome and Syracuse.

Cimmeria offer me a trade agreement which I accept.

Syracuse are doing well in the war as this turn they take Carthago itself!

244 BC
The Other Families are annoying me now, but I cannot afford to strike back at them yet.

Rome asks me to join in the war against Nova Carthago and I accept, seems my peace treaty with Libya has not affected our relations too much which is good.

A Carthaginian fleet from Karalis retakes Lilybaeum, I think I have found the perfect target for my next conquest.

243 BC
It is time to make my contribution to the war against Carthage and its client states. I declare war on Carthage, Libya sides with it in the war, and my army in Southern Italy moves towards Lilybaeum.

In North Africa Syracuse takes Thapsus but its army there is now very weak.

Military Settlements research is completed which will enable me to build barracks that give me better ranged units.

242 BC
A turn later I agree a Military Alliance and also Military Access with Syracuse.
I also negotiate a trade agreement with Knossos.

My army is close to Lilybaeum now.

A Libyan army takes Carthago from the sea and another moves towards Thapsus.

241 BC
It is time to take Lilybaeum.
The fleet and garrison is no match for my land army and victory is swift.

This is now the situation in the area. The weak Libyan army in Carthago which I think will be my next target, Thapsus which is now undefended apart from the garrison as Syracuse marched its army to meet a Libyan one nearby and lost. Carthage still controls Karalis.

240 BC
Libya retakes Thapsus with ease after It’s victory the previous turn. My army in Lilybaeum is replenishing ready to move across to North Africa.

One of my generals die’s this turn, the first from old age. The only other notable event is the completion of the Land Management technology which boosts my income from agriculture and unlocks more industrial buildings.
239 BC
This is a quiet turn for me but there are multiple fleet engagements between Carthage and Rome and Syracuse.

238 BC
My army in Lilybaeum has replenished and I make my move across to North Africa.
I will siege the settlement for a few turns in order to construct the ladders I need to assault.

I do get an interesting bit of news this turn, Egypt has been wiped out by the Nasamones, one of the African nations.

237 BC
Back in Pella my spy Alexandra has levelled up.
I decide to improve her manipulation.

I also get news of an event that has had an effect on my army besieging Carthage.
Big penalties, but ones that should not matter too much as I am besieging and have a larger force than the garrison.

236 BC
My army has completed construction of ladders and some gallerys to provide mobile protection to my soldiers. It is time to assault Carthago.
A tough fight given the size and defences of Carthage, but I assault from multiple directions and my superior troops give me an edge. Not the most epic battle, but given the back and forth in North Africa over the years and the weakened state of the defenders it is hardly surprising.

This victory increases my Imperium, allowing me to field more armies and enact more edicts. I set the province of Thracia to tax Harvesting to improve my income.

Welcome back to my campaign play through.
The wiki is under heavy load today so give time for the images to show up.

235 BC
The turn begins and my attention is drawn away from the war.
I will not tolerate this. I decide to counter the rumours.

Back in Sicily the Carthaginians begin to fight back.
I doubt the garrison will be able to defeat this attacking. I’m tempted to move my army from Carthago to destroy this attacking force. There is however a problem with this plan.
That Libyan fleet looks like it is ready to try and retake Carthago. I will wait and turn before I decide what to do.
234 BC
One of my Generals back in Macedonia has died.
A sad day for my family.

Back on the war front I have made my decision. I move my army from Carthago back towards Lilybaeum.

I have recruited a new army in Carthago, a lone general so far to help defend the settlement. I plan to expand that force over the next few turns.

That plan is cut short during the end turn sequence.
That combined force of Carthage and Libya is much more powerful than the garrison. I fight the battle knowing that victory is unlikely.

I win, but I have to be honest and say I got really lucky. It was my general, with his unit of Companion Cavalry, that one if for me with a well-timed charge that managed to route a large chunk of the enemy force just as I was about to be overwhelmed. The death of the Carthaginian general soon after ensured my victory.
That shows you how close I came to losing. I could have fought that battle a dozen times and lost it, I was very fortunate with how lucky I was. The remaining enemy forces retreat and Carthago is safe for another turn.

233 BC
I get bad news from the Oracle.
I decide to sacrifice a white sheep, hopefully that will get rid of this Bad Omen.

In Carthago I order the recruitment of Levy Pikemen to bolster my garrison in case of a repeat attack.

At Lilybaeum my army arrives.
The besieging Carthaginian army is dealt with swiftly.

That is all for this update, a lot of action over a few turns. I hope you have enjoyed it.

Hi all, this will be my final update for my campaign play through, I hope you have enjoyed reading and I am finishing up with a big update.

232 BC
At the start of this turn I find out the result of the previous intrigue decision I had to make.
Stupid Gods not liking my sacrifice.

I also get word from far away that a faction has re-appeared.
I wonder what has been going on in Iberia.

Pella has been struck by a natural disaster.
All the buildings have been damaged. It is expensive to repair buildings, but buildings will slowly repair themselves over time.

Unlike previous Total War titles, you will not lose all the bonuses from a building when it is damaged, instead you will get partial bonuses.

231 BC
The war continues as Syracuse and Rome attack Libyan and Carthaginian fleets.

I decide to set Karalis as a war target in the hope that one of my allies takes it. I also move my army from Lilybaeum back to Carthago in order to attack Thapsus.

230 BC
A new turn and another new intrigue.
This time I’m showing off a bit more of the faction screen.

I decide to do a sacrifice in the hopes of getting a positive outcome.

229 BC
It worked! A nice bonus for that region.

I’m now making good income from trade.
You can see that I’m benefitting from the resources I own.

My home regions are also nice and happy.
This shows the public order change per turn, along with other details of the Thracia province.

228 BC
My army has now reached Thapsus.
It is taken with an easy victory.

I notice that the Nasamones have taken Lepcis, so decide to check out Libya’s last settlement, Macomades.
Looks like the Nasamones will soon have that one as well.
They’ve actually grown very powerful, owning most of Egypt’s old regions. I signed an alliance with them a few years ago and I’m very glad I have.

This turn also sees me complete the research of Naval Manoeuvres as I’ve decided I need to improve my navies.
227 BC
This turn opens with a very happy sight.
Sparta have answered my call and have taken Karalis. Carthage now just has a couple of fleets left around the Mediterranean and will likely soon be dead along with Libya. Carthago Nova however is now growing quite powerful.

I agree a non-aggression pact with the Seleucids, I still have my eye on expanding East at some point and allies over there will be valuable.

In the end turn sequence Carthago Nova attacks Lilybaeum.
I narrowly manage to defeat them and hold Lilybaeum.

226 BC
I notice more Carthago Nova fleets around so move my small army from Carthago to Lilybaeum. The big army that took Thapsus takes its place in Carthago.

Hellenisation is researched.
I begin construction of a Hoplite Barracks in Pella at once as it will allow me to recruit some very strong units.

Carthago Nova attacks Lilybaeum again as expected.
This time the victory is much more decisive.
225 BC
Libya actually manages to push back the Nasamones forces around its last settlement. They are safe for a few more turns at least.

To help strengthen both my defence of settlements and my besieging of them I complete the research of Engineering which reduces the amount of time enemy settlements will hold out by one turn and enables boiling oil on settlement gates.